From fiction to reality, the underdog often chirps until he’s champ. So it is with Erislandy Lara. While technically the champion here and universally respected as a fighter, Lara has little of Canelo’s cash or cachet, and just a fraction of Canelo’s traction among the media.

Alvarez and Mayweather are fighting at a catch-weight of 152 pounds, which, if you’re looking for an edge, would probably point to Alvarez, the naturally larger man. But Mayweather has a way of making larger men look small.